Eat Your Way to Healthy Joints
Joint pain is no fun and can keep you from enjoying an active lifestyle. It is possible to eat your way to healthy joints and decrease inflammation and joint pain. Your joints, much like your body, require nutrients in order to repair and keep cells, ligaments, muscles and cartilage healthy. So investigate what you are putting on your fork and get ready to eat your way to healthier joints.
Go raw! Okay, you do not have to become a raw food activist in order to eat healthier. You do however, want to increase your daily intake of raw veggies as they are loaded with enzymes that can help break down nutrients in your food so that they can be used by your body.
Essential fatty acids found in nuts and seeds and their oil along with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) found in cold water fish is a must for well-lubricated healthy joints. Fatty acids can reduce swelling and discomfort in joints as well provide proper lubrication.
Foods such as nuts, seeds, salmon, sardines and vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and other green veggies such as collard and turnip greens, spinach, kale and green beans are an excellent source of essential fatty acids.
Good collagen production is essential to joint health. Collagen is a naturally occurring fibrous protein made up of amino acids found in bones, muscles, body tissues, tendons and cartilage.Collagen comprises approximately one quarter of all of the protein in your body. Collagen is important in avoiding osteoarthritis. One of the first indications of osteoarthritis development is the loss or breakdown of collagen.
Eating protein-rich foods can help boost collagen production because they are good sources of amino acids. Look for quality pasture and humane raised animal sources. Vegetable protein sources include nuts, seeds, legumes beans and some grains such as quinoa.
Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid compound that is a natural anti-inflammatory. Apples, red or black grapes, blueberries, blackberries, cherries and green teas are rich in quercetin.
Although you can eat your way to better joint health sometimes the food you choose could be the culprit to your pain. Even worse, if you are experiencing intestinal permeability (or leaky gut) this may lead to unexplained joint pain. Take for instance gluten. Most humans lack the enzymes to completely break down gluten; at best it is only partially digested. If this happens it can lead to undigested peptides instigating inflammation. If there is any intestinal permeability undigested fragments can seep through and over time may lead to increased inflammation in weak areas, in this case the joints.
At Sanoviv Medical Institute we use advanced testing for when it comes to gluten. We use the Array 3 Antibody Wheat and Gluten Proteome Reactivity and AutoimmunityTM test. With this test we are able to measure antibody production against 9 wheat proteins and peptides and 3 essential structure enzymes. Any of these antigens has the capacity to challenge the immune system even when there are no digestive symptoms present. In other words, most think of gluten as causing digestive problems. Not so. Gluten can affect the brain, skin and immune system.
At Sanoviv we also advise if testing for the Array 3 to also test with the Array 4 Antibody Gluten-Associated Cross Reactive Foods and Food SensitivityTM test. Sometimes removing gluten may not be enough to healthy joints and other body complaints. This is where the Array 4 may help.
Most countries define gluten-free products based on the recommendation of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization. This codex alimentarius allows the inclusion of up to 0.3% protein from gluten containing grains in foods labeled gluten-free. If the sensitive body is exposed to 0.3% protein, the immune system will recognize and react to the protein.[1] The Array 4 tests for 27 foods (including healthy foods) that may be an underlying culprit to true health and wellness. The Array 4 can assist by detecting both sensitivities and cross-reactions that may possibly allow for a possible continued gluten-like reaction. In other words, if you have gotten off of gluten and you are still having symptoms it could be something you are consuming that is causing the inflammatory response to continue and aggravate.
Joint pain can be a common symptom of many diseases or a reminder from a past injury. Always pay attention when it comes to joint pain. Seek the advice of your physician or qualified health care practitioner so that you can rule out any unforeseeable problems. At Sanoviv we have many programs to suit your needs. Your body has the power to heal and it starts with learning all you can to prevent injury and provide your body with the right nutrients to help in the healing process.
